The condition of some of the streets in East Flatbush has residents seeing red.
At the April meeting of Community Board 17, numerous individuals who live in the community complained about sinking streets, sinkholes, potholes and other problems that make roadways and sidewalks not only unsightly but potentially hazardous.
Many of the streets, they say, have been in bad shape for a while, and they want to know why they have to wait so long for them to be repaired.
“Some community residents are happy and, of course, some are complaining,” reported Sherif Fraser, the board’s district manager, to the group gathered in the auditorium at Public School 198, Albany Avenue and Farragut Road.
“I know for a fact that not all the requests we received are being met this year,” Fraser went on. “The board is there to advocate on your behalf, and we will continue to submit those streets that are not being resurfaced in this contract. Do not be discouraged. Your street will be included next year.”
Farragut Road between Albany and Brooklyn avenues is “sinking,” said board member Yvette Barrow.
“It’s been sinking since Lloyd Henry was councilman, because of a DEP problem. It’s been patched. They gave us a brand new road, but the road is sinking all over again. Below, there used to be a swamp. I really would like them to do Farragut Road before a car falls into a sinkhole.”
That’s not the only street with problems. Rather, thoroughfares such as East 40th Street, between Farragut and Glenwood Roads, also need some TLC, said residents. Leonie Logan, the president of the East 40th Street Block Association, said that the problem on her block dates to 1999.
“Every time it rains or snows,” she explained, “we sweep the water, because if we don’t sweep it into the sewer, it doesn’t go away.”
“The up-heaving of the community needs to be addressed,” added board member Renae Smith, who said, “I hurt myself twice on the up-heaving of the sidewalk within seven months. On East 40th Street, a car was almost damaged.”
“I know some community residents are very frustrated,” Fraser acknowledged. “I know I get frustrated with DOT because I feel that some of the streets that are really in need of repair are being bypassed. I don’t know what criteria are used, but I will continue to submit locations to DOT.”
As for sidewalks, Fraser said that there would be a contract to deal with them “coming out soon. If you see a sidewalk being raised by tree roots or otherwise, please contact the community board office,” she urged.
The streets scheduled for resurfacing, this year, are East 37th Street, between Avenue H and Clarendon Road; Snyder Avenue, between East 38th Street and Flatbush Avenue; Avenue D, between Ditmas and Flatbush Avenues; East 35th Street, between Brooklyn Road and Avenue H; East 34th Street, between Brooklyn Road and Avenue H; Clarendon Road, between Ditmas and Ralph Avenues; Albany Avenue, between Cortelyou and Clarendon Roads; East 43rd Street, between Cortelyou and Clarendon Roads; East 25th Street, between Cortelyou and Clarendon Roads; East 58th Street, between Beverly Road and Ditmas Avenue; and Ditmas Avenue, between Avenue D and Remsen Avenue.
